The Chicago Bears' secondary has been decimated this offseason, reeling from the free agent losses of corner Nahshon Wright to the New York Jets, and safeties Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard to the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots, respectively. A rumor on Monday could change their fortunes, however.
Per ESPN's Stephen Holder, "CB Kenny Moore II and QB Anthony Richardson Sr. are not present on the first day of offseason workouts in Indy. Both players have requested trades. There has been communication (with) both players and the sides are on the same page ... Regarding the trade requests: Ballard gave the impression Moore would get a courtesy release if the Colts can't find a deal. He did not say that regarding Richardson, who he said still has a lot of value to the Colts and is immensely talented. Ballard is open to him coming back."
With Justin Walley rising in the Indianapolis Colts' CB room, and Kenny Moore II entering the final year of his contract, a release feels imminent for a franchise that already kicked off a culture shift when they sent away Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers this offseason.
Moore is a versatile defender who's fully matured at this point as a player. Not only did he have an 84.4 run-defense grade from PFF last year, but he had 1.5 sacks and an interception in 14 games of action.
That's good value to add late in the offseason if a trade can't be found for Indy.
Kenny Moore II Could Be Perfect Tyrique Stevenson Replacement
Tyrique Stevenson is entering the 2026 season as Jaylon Johnson's planned CB1 counterpart. Stevenson has admitted he had been holding back some over the last few seasons, which should, at minimum, mean Ryan Poles and Co. bring in competition for his job.
Moore is the perfect veteran to bring in to kickstart the franchise's push into the future one way or another. That'd force Stevenson to compete or concede. Of course, bringing in a draft pick could push him as well, though from below. There's a world where Chicago focuses heavily on the secondary this weekend in the draft, bringing in multiple safeties and perhaps a cornerback in the later rounds.
Maybe there's a world where Moore and a draft pick both enter the organization soon. That'd probably be a dire sign for Stevenson's time in the Windy City, though, rather than a signal that he's about to have to compete for a starting job.
We'll see how the Colts elect to move forward with Moore, as they continue shaping their identity around their youth. There's definitely a need for Moore in Chicago, and the Bears have a role to offer and a bit of money to spare at a bargain bin rate, if the vet minimum is what Moore's market shakes out to be.
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